Doing things Quote by Julia Shaw
““So, in general how good are we at predicting how long things will take? In a review of research on prospective memory published in 2010,15 Roger Buehler from Wilfrid Laurier University and his colleagues in Canada looked at research asking individuals to estimate how long particular activities would take them. They found that people were generally optimistic in their estimates, tending to discount past failures to complete things on time, and generally underestimating how long tasks actually took to complete. In other words, we seem to believe that our future selves are going to be superheroes at doing things quickly – new you excels at doing things quickly, even if old you was slow. New you is efficient, old you was lazy.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Prospective Memory Review, 2010, Journal of Experimental Psychology
People tend to underestimate how long tasks will take, assuming future self will be faster than past self.
In simple terms: We are overly optimistic about future efficiency.
Key Takeaway
Adjust plans for realistic time frames.
Themes
optimism
time management
self-perception
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advisory
analytical
When to use this quote
- project planning
- deadline setting
- personal productivity
- team scheduling
Key Concepts
prospective memory
cognitive bias
future self
Questions to Reflect On
- How often do you overestimate your speed?
- What strategies can you use to improve time estimates?
A Different Perspective
Optimism can lead to missed deadlines if not checked.
